RELEASE OF CYTOST 51 



mass of the latter decreases. The mechanism by which 

 the intracellular acidity is raised is immaterial for 

 atrophic changes will always follow. Halogenated 

 organic compounds such as phosgene, mustard gas 

 and chloropicrin, readily penetrate cells undergoing 

 hydrolysis with the liberation of hydrochloric acid. 

 As a result the cells die and autolyze rapidly. 



However, the mechanism utilized to produce the 

 primary acidity need not in itself be a chemical cap- 

 able of liberating an acid, for as we have seen excised 

 tissues themselves produce sufficient acid to initiate 

 autolysis. We now know as a result of Warburg's 

 (1928) experiments that the majority of tissues are 

 capable of producing lactic acid, particularly if de- 

 prived of an adequate oxygen supply. In other words, 

 when the metabolism of the tissues is altered, acids 

 accumulate. 



That such an altered metabolism may be induced by 

 relatively slight changes in the physical environment 

 is shown by the experiments of Kubowitz (1929). 

 Utilizing Warburg's technique, this worker found 

 that upon exposure to temperatures slightly higher 

 than 25° C. the frog's retina suffered an inhibition of 

 the Pasteur reaction with a consequent production 

 of lactic acid by glycolysis. While at present evidence 

 is lacking that other types of injury may cause a simi- 

 lar alteration in metabolism in other tissues of higher 

 animals, it is a reasonable supposition that such is the 

 case, because various types of injury are known to 

 cause the onset of autolysis. Further, it has long been 

 recognized that trauma results in an increased acidity 

 of tissues; and Chambers and Pollack (1927) have 

 recently observed this in single cells — the starfish egg. 



1 n B & R \' 



4 



